Decriminalize Marijuana in Chicago

On Wednesday, the Chicago City Council is set to vote on a proposal that would decriminalize marijuana possession in the city. As a former Assistant State's Attorney of Cook County, I know that marijuana laws waste valuable police resources that could be spent fighting violent crime. Just this year, more than 228 people were killed by guns in Chicago - that's almost double the number of U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan in the same time period.

Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said that last year, the current marijuana laws "tied up more than 45,000 police hours," and that "The new ordinance nearly cuts that time in half, which equals an approximate $1 million in savings, while freeing up cops to address more serious crime."

The proposal would allow officers to issue a $250 ticket to someone suspected of carrying 10 grams or less of marijuana, rather than spending hours off the streets to haul someone to jail on a misdemeanor charge. It is supported by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

As a Chicago citizen, your City Council members need to hear from you that Chicago police need to be focused right now on reducing violent crime and not marijuana possession.

Please sign this petition to let them know you support this sensible proposal.

Letter to

Alderman Jason Ervin

Alderman Robert Fioretti

Alderman Joe Moreno

and 48 others

Alderman Debra Silverstein

Alderman Joseph A. Moore

Alderman Harry Osterman

Alderman Ameya Pawar

Alderman James Cappleman

Alderman John Arena

Alderman Michele Smith

Alderman Brendan Reilly

Alderman Pat Dowell

Alderman George A. Cardenas

Alderman Toni Foulkes

Chicago City Council

Alderman Thomas M. Tunney

Alderman Patrick J. O'Connor

Alderman Margaret Laurino

Alderman Timothy M. Cullerton

Alderman Rey Colón

Alderman Scott Waguespack

Alderman Ariel E. Reboyras

Alderman Howard Brookins Jr.

Alderman JoAnn Thompson

Alderman Mary O’Connor

Alderman Emma Mitts

Alderman Nicholas Sposato

Alderman Roderick Sawyer

Alderman Leslie Hairston

Alderman Deborah Graham

Alderman Ricardo Munoz

Alderman Lona Lane

Alderman Sandi Jackson

Alderman Marty Quinn

Alderman Michael Chandler

Alderman William Burns

Alderman John Pope

Alderman Michelle Harris

Alderman James Balcer

Alderman Ed Burke

Alderman Carrie Austin

Alderman Richard F. Mell

Alderman Ray Suarez

Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr.

Alderman Roberto Maldonado

Alderman Daniel Solis

Alderman Michael Zalewski

Alderman Willie Cochran

Alderman Matthew O’Shea

Alderman Latasha Thomas

Alderman Anthony Beale

I just signed the following petition addressed to: Chicago City Council.

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As a Chicago resident, I'm writing to ask that you support the proposal to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana in Chicago.

Just this year, more than 228 people were killed by guns in Chicago - that's almost double the number of U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan in the same time period. Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said that last year, the current marijuana laws "tied up more than 45,000 police hours," and that "The new ordinance nearly cuts that time in half, which equals an approximate $1 million in savings, while freeing up cops to address more serious crime."

Evanston, Aurora, Skokie, Sugar Grove, Yorkville and Carpentersville already have laws in place allowing officers to ticket suspects carrying small amounts of marijuana.

Decriminalizing marijuana would free up police resources, tax dollars, and prevent young people from criminal records that could hurt their chances at getting into college or finding a job.